Get a burn barrel if you want to go super low class. We got one for 15$ and it’s a lot of fun

Anonymous wrote:I dislike how large and view blocking the fireplace with chimney look and would much prefer a nice fire pit. Plus, it’s not just one sided.

That’s a plus for me! I want privacy.

I dislike how large and view blocking the fireplace with chimney look and would much prefer a nice fire pit. Plus, it’s not just one sided.

You can get more people around a firepit than a fireplace.

I would pick fire place. I would want to have room to have a dining table so if you have a firepit permanently in the middle you basically can only sit around it.

Anonymous wrote:don't build in either one, just get a solo stove and move it around as you need to.

I love the large solo stoves - but they are crazy dangerous hot. As bizarre as it sounds, I know not one but two people who have melted the sole of their shoes from touching the solo stove in front of them with their foot. One I witnessed first hand and it melted the persons rubber boot sole like a hot knife through butter. Luckily neither got burned.

We have young kids running around often, and two dogs - so we worry about them getting seriously burned by the solo stove. I know they can also be burned with a fire pit, but they would literally have to fall or reach into a large fire pit with a ledge around it... But yeah, I would love to get the big solo stove

My friends with fire pits are constantly begging us to sit around it but nobody really wants to.

don't build in either one, just get a solo stove and move it around as you need to.

I have a rectangular firepit with glass flame barriers. I love putting my feet up there to stay toasty on chilly nights on the deck.

I like the firepit. It gives us flexibility to move it, to walk around it and move the chair to another side if the wind is blowing smoke in your face. I feel it's also more informal, and we are informal people!

I see examples of both in our neighborhood and the fireplace always looks better. Our house came with a flagstone patio that included neither, so we created a firepit with pea gravel and pavers around our solo stove in a far corner of our yard. I would prefer the fireplace but it's nice for now!

I like pit but pp has a good point re. wind

Fireplace creates a more cozy, outdoor room feeling. Plus it can act as a wind buffer. I don’t like fire pits. Feels like camping in your backyard…

Happy wife, happy life.

We are going to create a paver area in our backyard. Trying to decide whether to have a circular paver area with a large stone firepit in the center, or a rectangular paver area with stone wall with a fireplace?

My wife thinks the later would be more flexible in terms of seating options (which could be changed up over time if desired)... sectional, sofa with club chairs. Thoughts? Anyone have regrets or thoughts about your choice of these types?